{"id":71405,"date":"2025-02-15T19:27:57","date_gmt":"2025-02-15T17:27:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/?p=71405"},"modified":"2025-03-06T10:35:54","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T08:35:54","slug":"unprecedented-racing-action-at-the-2025-big-5-mtb-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/unprecedented-racing-action-at-the-2025-big-5-mtb-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Unprecedented Racing Action At The 2025 Big 5 MTB Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saturday, 15th of February, was characterised by high temperatures, towering peaks, and the most competitive international field seen at a one-day marathon in South Africa. All eyes were on the action in the Limietberg Mountains to see who would arise victorious at The Big 5 by Imbuko and Canetsfontein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2025 brought the deepest field of international competitors to the race, including Nino Schurter of Scott SRAM. (c) Fahwaaz Cornelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Leaving the Imbuko Wines Private Cellar, the intensity was on from the first climb. Even the veterans of the race were taken aback by the pace. Marco Joubert was off the lead bunch at 14km, with Nino Schurter starting to lose touch on the steeper slopes as well, while Luke Moir and Matt Beers drove the pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitting the slopes of Seven Peaks at 20km, Tristan Nortje led Filipo Colombo, Beers, and Moir into the single-track climb, with Wout Alleman and Marc Pritzen hanging onto the back of the freight train. Frischknecht, Joubert, and Schurter were out of sight off the back. Much to the relief of the chasing riders, the race eased up, and the nine riders came back together after the Canetsfontein Waterpoint at 30km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joubert moved to the front up the switchback-riddled Aap du Huez trail, dropping Alleman and Pritzen in the process. Frischknecht would soon also fade from the group as the leading six neared the summit of the Canetsfontein Cliffhanger trail, a riding experience that draws riders from around the world for its indescribable views and expertly crafted switchback descent. Tristan Nortje ascended at a rate of knots, opening up a 30-second gap over the rest of the field by the summit, pocketing R20 000 in the process as King of the Mountain!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chase was on as they plunged towards the valley floor, with Schurter and Colombo employing their World Cup XCO skills to close down the gap to Nortje. Luke Moir was 20 seconds back over the summit, followed by Joubert leading Beers in pursuit of the leaders. The break was looking strong until, in what would prove to be a consequential moment, Nortje took a wrong turn and led the Scott SRAM duo astray while Beers, Moir, and Joubert charged past them, unaware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The views from the top of the Canetsfontein Cliffhanger Trail are unparalleled. (c) Max Sullivan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beers twisted the throttle leaving the Canetsfontein Waterpoint for Groenberg, with Joubert and Moir in tow, looking to close down what he thought was a 30-second gap to the leaders when they had, in fact, overtaken them. This wild chase seemed to take its toll when they reached the base of the final sting, Patatskloof, a chainring-bending gravel ascent that cuts below the Seven Peaks trail. As Beers charged up the increasing gradient, Moir started losing the wheel, and Joubert was closing in after losing touch on the previous climb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was to be the ultimate deciding moment of the race, but not in the way we expected! From the shadows of 4th position, Filipo Colombo launched his attack, surging past Joubert, then Moir, and finally Matt Beers. Out of the saddle, he squeezed every last watt he could from his legs to make the move stick. Joubert accelerated in chase, moving past Moir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Colombo needed to do was hold onto the gap he\u2019d opened up on the climb as the course traversed rocky jeep tracks and a couple more brief climbs to secure the win\u2014and that he did! Back-to-back victories for the Swiss XCO specialist at The Big 5, with 39 seconds between himself and Imbuko ChemChamp\u2019s Marco Joubert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Candice Lill was unmatched in the women\u2019s field, dominating from start to finish. (c) Fahwaaz Cornelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had to push quite hard in the last 20km as we weren\u2019t exactly sure where we were [after taking a wrong turn]. It was hard but super nice. I knew I had to close the gap, especially on Matt, more on the climbs than on the flats. I knew I had to make the move on the last climb, and I pushed as hard as I could and thankfully got the gap.\u201d – Filipo Colombo<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI just rode my own pace today. I think it paid off as I felt pretty good towards the end. The race was on with six of us in the group\u2014strong riders, World Champions, Epic Winners\u2014and I think we showed our strength today. Epic is about four weeks out; we\u2019re feeling good. Big thanks to Imbuko for hosting this event, it\u2019s the perfect timing and perfect prep for whatever the season holds for you.\u201d – Marco Joubert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charging into 3rd was Luke Moir (2:39 back from the leader), showing impressive endurance and tactical mastery from a young XCO Racer! He certainly showed what he was capable of in a field of world-class athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The big question at the finish line\u2014where was Matt Beers? Tragically, he had suffered a catastrophic wheel failure on a brief rocky descent shortly after the Patatskloof Climb that ended his race when he was still in sight of a podium finish. Rounding out the top five were Nino Schurter and Tristan Nortje, 5:11 and 5:40 off the leader, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Filipo Colombo seems to have cracked the Big 5 code, taking back-to-back wins in 2024 and 2025. (c) Fahwaaz Cornelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The women\u2019s field was deep, but one name stood out amongst the heavy hitters\u2014Candice Lill. Fast becoming known as the Queen of The Big 5, Candice doesn\u2019t hide the fact that she loves this race and has an uncanny knack for winning it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Vera Looser out of the race due to illness, the task of pursuing Lill through the Limietberg Mountains was left in the hands of Emilly Johnston, Bianca Haw, Sam Sanders, and Malene Degn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the gates opened on the first climb, Lill took hold of the reins and set an unruly pace for her competitors to follow. It would be Emilly Johnston (U23 World Cup XCO racer for Scott SRAM) who would have the closest thing to an answer for Candice\u2019s blistering pace. The Canadian settled into a fast tempo to stay clear of the raging battle for 3rd behind her throughout the day, lapping up the endless singletrack descents that this course is renowned for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was very painful but fun. The trails were so good, but that last hour I really suffered. Really, I just wanted to go out and explore some new trails. I rode as best I could to try and make it through; it was a brutal day out there!\u201d – Emilly Johnston<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scandinavian XCO racer, Malene Degn, was the 3rd woman into the Seven Peaks climb at the 20km mark, with Sam Sanders (Efficient Infiniti) hot on her heels. Not far back in 5th, Bianca Haw was taking a moment to warm up but wasn\u2019t going to give up the fight after just one climb!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sam and Malene traded blows over Seven Peaks, through the Canetsfontein water point, and up the Obiekwa Mountain towards the Cliffhanger trail. As the gradients ramped up, Sam slipped back into the clutches of Bianca Haw, while Malene danced her way up to the towering heights of the Cliffhanger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Candice Lill comfortably secured the Queen of the Mountain title and R20 000 prize, with Emilly five minutes behind her over the crest of the climb. Malene 3rd, Bianca 4th, and Sam 5th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 20 minutes of eye-watering descent, the top five women were on their way home via the Greenberg and Patatskloof climbs. Sam Sanders regained her position over Malene Degn, and thus the final standings were: Lill 1st, Johnston 2nd, Haw 3rd, Sanders 4th, and Degn 5th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe pace was really fast at the beginning as everyone tried to stay at the front as long as possible. I probably went a bit over the limit, but it was a cool day to test how I was feeling, where my form is, and what I can handle. After breaking away on the first climb, I managed to pace myself OK to the finish. The last two climbs were definitely tough, but the trails were amazing!\u201d \u2013 Candice Lill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The race winners walked away with R25,000 each, but it was the last man across the finish line, William Neff, who would land one of the best prizes of the day: a bike touring trip to Europe (for a tour around the Mont Blanc mountain) valued at R60,000 from MTB Adventure, symbolizing the achievement of any rider who managed to complete the monumental 3,000m of climbing in 77km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 10 Men:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1st – 03:41:48 – Filipo Colombo (Scott SRAM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2nd – 03:42:27 – Marco Joubert (Imbuko ChemChamp)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd – 03:45:06 – Luke Moir (Privateer)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4th – 03:45:59 – Nino Schurter (Scott SRAM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5th – 03:46:28 – Tristan Nortje (Imbuko ChemChamp)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6th – 03:48:19 – Wout Alleman (Buff Megamo)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7th – 03:49:05 – Marc Pritzen (Honeycomb 226ers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8th – 03:50:39 – Andri Frischknecht (Scott SRAM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9th – 03:52:23 – Urs Huber (Bulls Bikes)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10th – 03:52:33 – Simon Stiebjahn (Singer KTM Racing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Men\u2019s podium F.L.T.R. Nino Schurter, Marco Joubert, Filipo Colombo, Luke Moir, Tristan Nortje. (c) Fahwaaz Cornelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Top 5 Women:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1st – 04:33:09 – Candice Lill ( Seattle Coffee Co \/ Sabi Sabi )<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2nd – 04:43:13 – Emilly Johnston (Scott SRAM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd – 04:49:05 – Bianca Haw (Safari Essence Titan Racing)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4th – 04:50:31 – Sam Sanders (Efficient Infiniti)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5th – 04:55:42 – Malene Degn ( Scott \/ GripGrab \/ Topeak \/ Good Habits)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Women\u2019s podium F.L.T.R. Melene Degn, Emilly Johnston, Candice Lill, Bianca Haw, Sam Sanders. (c) Fahwaaz Cornelius<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This iconic route has undoubtedly solidified its place in the global marathon for amateurs and pros alike, drawing an unprecedented field of pro riders from South Africa and abroad. The Big 5 by Imbuko and Canetsfontein will be back in 2026 to test the worlds best and the every-day heroes who just love a huge day out in the mountains!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see the action from the day, head over to @big5mtbchallenge on Instagram where all the latest content and biggest moments can be found as well as the replays of the men\u2019s race here<\/a> and women\u2019s race here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more about The Big 5 by Imbuko and Canetsfontein visit https:\/\/imbukobigfivemtbchallenge.co.za\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find the full result here: https:\/\/www.bouttime.co.za\/Results\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Saturday, 15th of February, was characterised by high temperatures, towering peaks, and the most competitive international field seen at a one-day marathon in South Africa. All eyes were on the action in the Limietberg Mountains to see who would arise victorious at The Big 5 by Imbuko and Canetsfontein. Leaving the Imbuko Wines Private Cellar, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":71406,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[88],"featured_location":[338],"class_list":["post-71405","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","tag-imbuko-big-5","featured_location-bottom-row"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71405","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71405"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71405\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":71417,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71405\/revisions\/71417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71406"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71405"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71405"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71405"},{"taxonomy":"featured_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bikehub.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured_location?post=71405"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}